Gate-latch.



o. c KERFooT.

GATE LATCH.

APPLICATION HLED Nov. 14, 1913.

Patented Nov. 9, 1915.

OLIVEB CARL KERFOOT, OF JONESBOEO, ARKANSAS.

GATE-LATGH.

mastas.

Specfication of Letters Patent.

Patented Nov. 9, 1915.

Application filed November 14, 1913. Serial No. 801,029.

To all whom it may concern: j

Be it known that I, OLIvnR CARL Knnroor, a citizen of the United States, residing at Jonesboro, in the county of Craighead and State of Arkansa's, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Gate- Latches, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to gate latches and more particularly to that class adapted to farm gates.

One of the objects of my invention is to provide a latch supported by the -gate post, thus obviating wear and tear on the gate by supporting` the latch thereon.

Another object of my invention is the provision of improved means for supporting the latch on the gate post.

A further object of my invention is the provision of an improved means for holding the latch in position.

A still further object of my invention is to provide a device that is simple in construction, efiicient in Operation, and can be manufactured and put upon the market at a minimum cost.

Other objects as well as the nature, characteristic features and scope of my invention will be clear from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings and pointed outV in the claims.

In the drawings: Figure 1, represents a perspective view of my invention, showing the latch holding gate in closed position. Fig. 2, is a transverse sectional view taken on line 2-2 of Fig. 1. Fig. 3, is a side elevation of the latch member.

Referring more particularly to the drawings in which corresponding numerals designate like or corresponding parts, the numeral 1, represents a gate post which has pivotally Secured thereto a gate 2, by means of hinges 8. The gate is of the usual construction and has Secured to its outer end by' means of nails 4:, inner ends of a plurality of outwardly extending latch bars 5, the purpose of which is to be hereinafter described. The inner side of the outer end of the gate 2 is adapted to bear against the gate post 6, which has Secured to its outer side my improved latch 7. The latch 7 in this instance consists of a single piece of material preferably rod metal, the bar engaging member 8 of which has its lower end bent at substantially right angles to form a lower arm 9, which terminates in a loop 10, that is engaged upon the eye-bolt 11, Secured adjacent the lower end of the post 6, as clearly shown in Fig. 1 of the drawings. A portlcn of the upper end of the bar engaging member 8 is bent, in a direction opposite to the direction of the lower arm, upon itself to form a handle 12, and has its extreme end portion extending beyond the rod 8, in a dlrection similar to the direction of the lower arm and arranged in parallel relation therewith to form the upper arm 13, which terminates in a loop 14, that is engaged upon the eye-bolt 15, Secured adjacent the upper end of the post 6. It will be understood that the upper and lower arms and the handle lie in the same plane. Eye-bolts 11 and 15, are provided with collars 16, which hold their outer ends from engagement with the post, thereby allowing the bar engaging member 8, to be swung laterally and passed over the outer end of the bars 5. These eye-bolts are held in place by the nuts 17, screw-threaded on their other ends.

For the purpose of holding the bar engaging member 8, of the latch member in engagement With the bars 5, I have Secured intermediate the ends of the rod engaging member 8, one end of the coil tension Spring 18, the opposite end of which is Secured by means of a nail 19, to the post 6.

The Operation of my device is as follows: VVhen it is desired to release the gate, all that is necessary is to grip the handle 12, and Swing the same against the tension of the coil spring until the bar engaging member 8, has passed over the outer ends of the bars 5. The gate may then be opened in the ordinary manner.

It is obvious that the latch member 7, if desired, may be cast in one piece.

It is obvious to those skilled in the art to which this invention appertains that modifications may be made in detail without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention.

Having thus fully described my invention what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In combination with a gate post, a gate, a plurality of bars extending from said gate post, a bar-engaging member pivotally secured to the side of said gate post, and means for holding said member in engagement with said bars, substantially as described and for the purpose set forth.

i and a plurality of bars extending Ifrom said 2. In combination With a gate post, a ga'te,

gate, a bar engaging` member pivotally secured' ln spaced relatlon to one side of sald gate post for lateral swingmg movementand' for engagement With the bars, a handle formed upon said bar engaging member, and

means for yieldingly and removably holding said bar engaging member in engagement With saidlbars, substantially as'idescribed and for the purpose set forth.

3. In combination With a gate post,'-a gate,

a plurality of bars extending from said gate,

a bar engagng member, arms eXtending,

from said bar engaging member, said arms terminating in loops, eye bolts securedto said post, said eye bolts engaging said loops, avhandle formed upon said bar engagin-g member, means for holding saidl bar engaging member in engagement With said bar, substantially as described and for the purpose set forth.

said bar engaging member, said arms terminating in loops, eye bolts Secured to said post, i

colIars provided upon said eye `bolts, said eye bolts being in engagement With said loops, a handle formed upon the upper end of said bar engaging member, and a -coil'spring having one of itsjends Secured intermediatethe ends ofbsaid bar vengagi'ng member, the opposite end of said Spring engaged upon said post, substantially -as described andfor the p11r-A Jpose set' forth.

n testimony Whereof Iaffix my Signature in presence of tWo Witnesses.

p OLIV'ER CARL KERFOOT.

lVitnesses: i i i J. R. GILPsoN, E. LAMB. i

`opes of this patent may be obtaned for five cents ea'h, by addressing the Commssioner of Patentsi- Washington, DJC' i 

